Episode 36: David Loader OAM – Rethinking Student Engagement in Australian Schools – Around the School Table by Xuno Suite
In this episode of Around the School Table, host Steve Davis is joined by David Loader OAM, Chair of the Institute of Education Reform (IER), to explore one of the most urgent challenges facing Australian education: Student Disengagement. With research suggesting that between 30% and 50% of students are disengaged at school, Loader argues that attendance alone does not equal learning. Many students are physically present in classrooms, yet emotionally disconnected from their education. Others are refusing school altogether. As a result, he believes the current system must rethink how success is measured.
Drawing on his decades of experience as former principal of Methodist Ladies’ College and Wesley College, David reflects on introducing one-to-one laptops in schools in 1989 — long before digital learning became mainstream. However, he explains that technology alone was never the solution. Instead, the real goal was creating more agency, creativity and independence for students.